GAA Dinner Dance in Abbey Hotel
Charlie captures a County Manager- Damien Diver, special guest Ger Loughnane, council boss Michael McLoone and County Chairman, Charlie O’Donnell
Four Masters U-16 County Champions following impressive display at Fintra
Pride of place goes to our U-16 boys who completed the league and championship double when they were victorious in the county final against great rivals St Nauls on a scoreline of 3-13 to 0-9. This was a real team display with David Crawford, Jamie McCrea and Ryan Earley in control in defence. Raymie McGroary and Conor McMonagle were in charge at midfield while up front the speed and flair of Stephen Keeney, Paul McIntyre and Dermot McHugh posed a constant threat.
A strong first ten minutes laid a solid foundation for victory as Keeney cut though the Nauls defence to tap over two impressive points and a Conor McMonagle free was evidence that Four Masters meant business. Owen Anderson’s twentieth minute goal underlined Four Masters authority.
St Nauls tried hard to get into the game but the Masters boys tightened their grip with two points from Paul McIntyre and one from the dynamic Hugh McPartland. St Nauls responded through Barry Rose to take it to a 6 point game and Masters keeper James McDaid had to be at his best to deny two goal attempts. McDaid’s ability to vary his kick-outs has also been a feature of the campaign.
The last ten minutes were all Four Masters with points from Owen Anderson and Dermot McHugh. Then two goals put the game beyond the reach of Nauls. The first came when Raymie McGroary made one of his characteristic bursts from midfield to off-load to Paul McIntyre who finished accurately to the net. Then McGroary hit the next himself to seal victory.
St Nauls tried hard especially Christopher Burke and Barry Rose but it just wasn’t to be. This was a very sporting game with both teams only interested in playing football. Team captain Conor McMonagle received the cup from the Southern Divisional Board Chairman Shane Toolan to cap a fine season for this Four Masters squad.
These players have worked hard all season and their attitude and commitment have earned them respect all over the county. They are a credit to the club, their families and the community. Great credit must also go to their manager Hughie Sweeney and his group of coaches/mentors Kieran Keeney, John McIntyre, Pat Brogan and Brendan McMonagle who have been working with this squad since January. They also won the southern divisional league and championship along the way. Good organization, coaching and tactics have had a big influence on this very successful season. The squad, management, families and supporters went back to the Mill Park Hotel for a celebratory meal where everyone had an enjoyable evening.
Paddy Muldoon
Finn Harps Supporters Club Notes
After a string of poor results it came as no real surprise to hear that, on Monday 25th July, Felix Healy parted company with Finn Harps football club by ‘mutual consent’. This comes just eight months after Felix led the side to a first ever league title, winning the Eircom first division last November, ending a 30 year wait for major silverware at Finn Park.
Felix didn’t wait long to have his say on events that led to his departure and during interviews with local newspapers and radio stations, he slated certain high profile members of the Finn Harps board of directors.
Felix has been quoted in a local newspaper as saying:
‘I asked the club’s financial controller a very direct question - what is the budget for the playing staff? He replied rather sheepishly that he didn’t know. (This is the guy who I was told was telling everyone that there was money there for players but the manager wasn’t using it). I then asked the club secretary the same direct question. He responded, that he didn’t know either. I reminded him that I had warned about the consequences of what would occur if we picked up injuries to key players and got off to a bad start. I said “the attempt to blame me for your incompetence is pathetic. So get someone else” - and I resigned.
‘Peter Toner asked me to reconsider and I said no. I then left the room. Half an hour later, I was asked to reconsider my position by Sean Quinn, the vice-chairman and the club treasurer, Liam Breen. During subsequent discussions both denied any knowledge of there being a restriction on the amount that I could spend on any given player. They believed it didn’t matter as long as it was within the manager’s budget. I then informed them of a number of things that had happened during the last six months of which they, as I suspected, had no knowledge. The club’s vice-chairman and the club treasurer weren’t aware of quite a great deal. To say they were fuming was putting it mildly.’
These are very worrying comments from the former Harps boss and if proven to be true it shows a deep lack of communication behind the scenes at Finn Park. It’s hard to believe that the people in charge of finances at the club would not know the player budget, or that high profile members of the board such as the club’s vice-chairman and treasurer could be left out of the loop when it came to making board decisions. And if this is what’s going on behind the scenes at the club, questions will have to asked as how these people are being let get away with making these decisions. The club is much bigger than 2 or 3 people and things will have to change if a new manager comes to Finn Park. How can any manager survive at the club if these are the kind of hurdles being place in their way?
However Felix has to accept some responsibility for what has happened this season. With only 3 wins in 18 league games, Harps are really struggling at the foot of the table. Recent home performances against Bohs, St Pats and Bray Wanderers have been nothing short of woeful. The board has said that Felix’s departure was purely results based and going on these statistics it would have been hard to put up a case to keep him at the club. However I have a feeling that when the dust settles on this saga, Felix will be fondly remembered by Harps fans as the manager who brought the first division title to Finn Park last season – a season that will live long in the memory of all Harps supporters. We would like to thank Felix for all his help during his time at Finn Park; he was always very approachable and willing to help out in any way.
Finn Harps player Anthony Gorman has been put in charge of first team matters at the club since Felix Healy’s departure. He is in charge on a temporary basis and will have his work cut out if Harps are to avoid the drop this season. His first league game in charge was a tricky away trip to UCD on Friday last. After a poor first period by both sides Harps took the lead early in the second half through a Stephen Capper shot. Harps pushed forward after the goal, but failed to capitalise on a number of chances and were punished 10 mins later, when Gavin Cullen brought down a UCD player in the box and Robbie Martin made no mistake from the penalty spot. Harps went in search of a winner after this, but it was to finish a draw and Harps collected only their fourth away point of the season.
We wish Anthony and the players the best of luck for the rest of the season. There will be a meeting of the supporter club this Wednesday the 10th August at 9pm in Dom’s Pier 1. For any information on the supporters club contact 0861223507 or any member of the club.
Niall Martin, PRO
ST NAULS NOTES
Martin Kelly of Kelly’s Toyota Sales and Service, Mountcharles, presenting new kit to the St Nauls Senior team. From left are John McCauley, Paul Griffin, Martin Kelly, Anne Marie Gillespie, Brian McCabe and John Burke
Copany Rovers FC would like to thank the Ballintra Race committee for letting us fundraise for our club on the day of the races. it was a fun day for all. We would also like to thank all the people who sponsored prizes for our lucky dip table. Thanks also to all who took part in the wellie throw and penalty shoot competitions, also thanks to all the club members who helped out on the day
Winners of the penalty shoot competition: •U10 Shane Kilpatrick, •U12 Shane Kilpatrick, •U14 Raymond Kilpatrick, •U16 Andrew Wilson, •Mens Barry McGroary, •Ladies Emma Johnston
Winners of the wellie throw: •Mens Gerard Gallagher, •Ladies Helen Harron.
The winner of Celtic Jersey was Matt Gallagher, and winner of the Donegal Jersey on the Lucky dip table was Gary McGrath.
Seniors are training every Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7 o’clock. U16 training every Wednesday
Ladies GC, Murvagh
Mary Ann Kane hosted her Lady Captain’s Day at Donegal Golf Club Murvagh on Saturday 23rd of July. There was a very large turnout to contest the top honours and to play for a most splendid array of prizes. It was a beautiful golfing day, and as expected, there were some excellent scores returned. The day ran very smoothly and all participants had a wonderful time both on and off the course. Even Steve Nicklaus (son of the legendary golfer, Jack) wanted to partake in this auspicious day. He and his party had played the Donegal G.C. course the previous Monday and rang on Saturday to see could they get in another round before they headed back Stateside. Our ever gracious Lady Captain said there was room for everyone and welcomed them back to enjoy the beauty, as well as the challenges, of the fine course at Murvagh. It was quite an accolade as Donegal Golf Club was the only course the Nicholas party played twice during their week in Ireland. Their visit added another festive dimension to an already memorable day.
Eileen MacMullen, playing off 5, tamed the course with a superb net score of 72. It will be a year to be remembered for Eileen after winning the Scratch Cup during the Spring, then leading the Donegal Ladies to the Senior Cup final last month and now to take the laurels on Lady Captain’s Day. Congratulations to Eileen on her successes so far this year.
Results on the day:
1st: Eileen Mac Mullen (5) net 72, 2nd: A Short (22) 73BOT, 3rd: A McHugh (31) 73 BOT, 4th: K Fox (21) 74, 5th: B Treacy (16) 76 BOT, 6th: C Caldwell (24) 76, 7th: A McGlynn (23) 77, 36 prize: M Gillespie (36) 78, Gross: D Woods (12) 90, Committee Prize: P Hamilton (25) 79, Team Management Prize: M Hand (22) 77, Past Captain’s Prize: M Ward (23) 79, Beginner’s Prize: A McGarvey (36) 37, 9-hole Prize: M Temple, Visitor’s Prize: R Williamson (North West) (14) 35 pts, 1st Nine: C O’Reilly (22) 35, 2nd Nine: C Cunningham (29) 34. Men’s Winner: Sean Boyle, Men’s 15-hole: P Mulooly, Men’s Sunday Winner: M D Gallagher, Men’s Saturday Winner J Hanna, Captains’ Prize to Jr. Girl: Fiona Boyle, Captains’ Prize to Jr. Boy: Aiden Faulkner.
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